Nagpur jail inmate allegedly hurls faeces at senior security officer during morning round

Tension gripped Nagpur Central Jail on Wednesday morning when a prisoner allegedly threw faeces from a toilet at senior security officer Waman Nimje as he was on a routine security round. A staff officer with Nimje was also splattered. The jail premises remained tense for some time afterwards.

According to information available, jail officers and staff were inspecting the barracks and the entire premises on Wednesday morning. During this, prisoner Sonu alias Surendra Manoj Samudre allegedly threw faeces from a toilet towards Nimje. Some of it is said to have fallen on Nimje's face and body. The staff officer accompanying him was also hit.

The other jail staff on duty were stunned by the sudden incident. Personnel reached the spot within minutes and brought the situation under control. The jail administration has taken the prisoner's alleged act seriously.

A day earlier, on Tuesday morning, prisoners had clashed in the jail's Chhoti Gol section. Between barracks 7 and 8, undertrial prisoner Vijay Rahangdale was allegedly attacked by two prisoners with kicks, punches and a plastic bucket. Vijay was reportedly returning to his barrack after offering prayers at the Hanuman temple when Durgesh alias Little Pramod Gupta and Ashwin alias Achhi Mukund Indurkar allegedly blocked his way and began beating him. The two are accused of kicking and punching him and hitting him with the bucket.

Vijay suffered a head injury in the attack. Jail staff reached the spot on receiving word and brought the situation under control. The injured prisoner was taken to the jail hospital for treatment.

On Tuesday, a prisoner also allegedly argued with the staff who came to intervene and calm matters. According to a police complaint, Surendra alias Monu Manoj Samudre argued with the staff. Sub-inspector Nimje, who had come to explain and handle the situation, was also allegedly confronted, and it was reported that an attempt was made to lunge at him. The matter then reached the police and a complaint was registered. The next day, the same prisoner was accused of throwing faeces at a senior jail officer, which has added to the jail administration's concern.

The incidents on two consecutive days have raised questions about security inside the jail. A prisoner targeting an officer while on duty is considered serious for a sensitive place such as a jail. Questions are also being asked about whether arrangements to watch sensitive and aggressive prisoners are adequate, and what is being done separately to protect officers and staff. It remains to be seen what steps the jail administration takes to prevent such incidents.